Colonial Heights, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fort Clifton
A stronghold that was never taken
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 15, 2009
1. Fort Clifton CWT Marker
The most important event in Fort Clifton’s history occurred on May 9, 1864, when five Union gunboats sailed up the Appomattox River and opened fire. For more than three hours, Confederate artillerymen in the fort battled the heavier guns of the Federal fleet. The attack was repulsed and one Union gunboat, USS Samuel L. Brewster, was damaged and scuttled by her crew.
Federal gunboats also shelled Fort Clifton from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on June 16, 1864, but were driven off. This was the last major Union attempt to pass Fort Clifton.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 9, 1864.
Location. 37° 16.89′ N, 77° 21.96′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Fort Clifton (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Brick House At Conjurer's Neck (approx. ¼ mile away); The Old Brick (Kennon) House (approx. ¼ mile away); Conjurer's Field Prehistoric Native American Village (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Fort Clifton (approx. 0.3 miles away); Confederate Fortification (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ellerslie (approx. 2.2 miles away); a different marker also named Ellerslie (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colonial Heights.
More about this marker. On the lower left is a sketch captioned, “Gunboat USS Commodore Perry on the Appomattox River near Port Walthall, by William Waud, July 1864 - Courtesy Library of Congress”
On the center is a sketch captioned, “View of Fort Clifton, by William Waud, May-June 1864 - Courtesy Library of Congress”
On the right is a regional map.
Also see . . .
1. Fort Clifton.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 15, 2009
2. Location of Fort Clifton.
2. Civil War Traveler. Colonial Heights. (Submitted on March 16, 2009.)
3. Gilmer Civil War Maps Collection at UNC. Plan of batteries at Fort Clifton, Appomattox River. (Submitted on March 16, 2009.)
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 15, 2009
3. Fort Clifton Batteries
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 15, 2009
4. Fort Clifton Batteries
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 15, 2009
5. Fort Clifton Batteries
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 15, 2009
6. Fort Clifton Earthworks
William Waud Library of Congress
7. View of Fort Clifton showing the Water Battery and obstructions in the Appomattox River
Inscribed below title: sketched from Battery B 2nd U.S. regulars (colored). Inscribed above image: obstructions in the river sunk by the rebels; Water Battery of Clifton Fort; Clifton House; The Battery may be shewn in action; Fort Clifton looks down the river. Harper's Weekly, July 23, 1864, p. 473.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 15, 2009
8. Appomattox River below Fort Clifton (facing upriver towards Petersburg)
Gilmer Civil War Maps Collection at UNC.
9. Plan of batteries at Fort Clifton, Appomattox River.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,234 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 16, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 7. submitted on March 27, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 8, 9. submitted on March 16, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
